Emergencies can happen suddenly, anywhere, and at any time. Whether it's a seasonal risk like a winter storm, hurricane, or wildfire, or an unexpected event such as a power outage, home fire, or industrial accident, it's important to be prepared. By understanding the risks specific to Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, and Canada, you can take proactive steps to ensure your family’s safety.

Creating a family emergency plan is an essential step in preparedness. Your plan should outline clear actions for each member of the household in case of an emergency. Some key components of your plan should include:

• Meeting places: Decide on a safe location where family members can reunite if separated.  Meeting places should include outside your home, a nearby close location in your neighborhood, and a meeting location outside of the area, such as friend in a neighbouring city. If family member work, go to school, travel, or have places where they frequent, these locations should also have designated meeting places.  
• Communication: Ensure everyone knows how to contact one another. Consider designating an out-of-town contact to relay messages.  The family emergency plan should document important phone numbers and alternative methods of communication should something happen to your mobile device.  
• Emergency procedures: Discuss what to do in different emergency situations, such as a home fire, severe weather, a mandatory evacuation, sheltering in place, or handling disruptions to utilities.  These procedures should reflect the risks that you might experience locally and take into work, school, frequent places or while travelling. 
• Designated contacts: The plan should designated individuals who will help you or your family during an emergency.  This could be neighbours, colleagues, friends, babysitters, or even pet sitters. Be sure to include their contact information in your communication section.  
• Important documents: copies of your important documents including insurance records, medical records, banking information, drivers licenses, passports, photos of family members and pets should be included with your family emergency plan.  They should be secured in a safe place inside and out of your home, ideally in a locked, water proof container such as a safety deposit box.  These documents are essential for recovery following a disaster.  

The family emergency plan should be stored in an easy-to-find, easy-to-remember place (such as your emergency preparedness kit).  Copies of the plan should be taken with you electronically, in your car, or at work. 
Additionally, the plan should be checked every six months for accuracy and to ensure contact information is up to date or current family needs are reflected in the plan. 

To help create your plan, visit Public Safety Canada's 'Make an Emergency Plan' tool, which will guide you through the process. It only takes about 20 minutes to complete. 

Additionally, we recommend using the following resources to help with planning:

• Template - Make an Emergency Plan 
• Home Inventory Checklist